El Clasico: 3 Reasons Why Barcelona vs Real Madrid Has Lost Its Allure

• El Clasico remains one of the biggest fixtures in football
• However, it has lost some of its appeal over the years for a few reasons
• El Clasico was a must-watch for any football fan a few years ago, but it now feels like an afterthought

The first El Clasico for the 2023/24 season is set for Saturday, October 28. Although it remains a key fixture in the football calendar, El Clasico has lost some of its appeal over the years for a myriad reasons.

Barcelona are a point behind Real Madrid after 10 games this season ahead of the Clasico, but it it seems a little different compared to previous encounters. It is less of a spectacle.

The fixture has served up some great entertainment over the years. Barcelona's 5-0 win in 2010 and Real Madrid's 2-1 away victory in 2012 are fresh in the memories of football fans.

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The head-to-head contest between these two is much closer, but the rivalry has lost some of its lustre in the last few years for several reasons.

No Ronaldo or Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi was a captivating subplot in the fixture. Now, they are gone, and the impact of their departure is still reverberating throughout Spanish football.

It was rare to see two of the world's best players play for two fierce rivals in a fixture that goes beyond football. Everyone wanted to watch the two best players go toe to toe in a game with so much at stake.

They scored important goals in the fixture, too. For instance, Ronaldo bagged 20 goals in 34 games against Barcelona, while Messi bagged 26 goals in 47 appearances against Los Blancos, per Transfermarkt.

With Ronaldo and Messi now both playing out of Europe and Spain, the fixture desperately needs star players to rise to the occasion and make their mark. Without the two icons of football, El Clasico has lost some of its glamour.

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Lack of intriguing characters

A few years ago, no El Clasico would end without some drama. This was made possible by compelling characters like Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, and Victor Valdes, among others. Mourinho's three-season spell at Real Madrid made El Clasico a must-watch.

Some went on to say the Portuguese manager displayed the dark triad at Madrid. He had referred to himself as the "special one" and wasn't afraid to speak his mind.

His early days at Real Madrid saw some of the best El Clasico encounters. From hard fouls, red cards, touchline brawls, tunnel spats, and press conference jibes, it was packed with drama and entertainment.

Most of those players have retired or left the club, and fans have been dying for current players to show some personality in the Clasico. Without such characters, the fixture has lost some of its intrigue.

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Barcelona's Gavi, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger, and Federico Valverde are current players who have tried to show some passion.

Decline in quality

In Barcelona's 5-0 win over Real Madrid in 2010, Pep Guardiola's team had World Cup winners Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Pedro, and David Villa. Oh! and a little magician called Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid also hosted some big names like Iker Casillas, Marcelo, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria, and the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo.

These two were the best teams in world football, without a doubt.

Barcelona endured a drastic decline after winning the treble in 2015, but Real Madrid got better, winning five Champions Leagues in nine years.

Although they can be competitive, the difference in quality now compared to the early 2010s is evident. Both sides have few world-class players in their ranks. With Barcelona struggling financially, it will take a while for them to become a top club again.

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El Clasico means so much to local fans because it is about regional identity, nationalism, and historical and political pasts, per Optus Sports.

Players who played for Barcelona and Madrid

Sports Brief earlier reported on players who played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Luis Figo and Ronaldo Nazario are the most famous players who played for both clubs. Luis Enrique and Samul Eto'o are other stars who suited up for both Spanish giants.

Nowadays, it is rare to see a player play for both clubs.